In the cause of political stability, the Congress of South African Trade Unions resisted the temptation this week to call for President Thabo Mbeki to step down. But it warned that it might raise the question again if the government does not work more closely with the tripartite alliance.
More than 20Â 000 Mozambicans have fled South Africa in the wake of the attacks on foreigners and 25Â 000 Zimbabwean nationals have indicated that they wish to leave, according to the International Organisation for Migration. However, refugee lobbyists warn that the exodus may be temporary and the influx of foreigners to South Africa from neighbouring countries may soon resume.
The anti-foreigner upsurge in Gauteng has subsided almost as quickly as it erupted — and everyone has a different theory about why. Gauteng spokesperson for the South African Police Service Govindsamy Mariemuthoo insisted police intervention was the major factor.
Jacob Zuma’s signature tune, <i>Umshini Wam</i>’, has become the soundtrack for the xenophobic upsurge in Gauteng. This despite Zuma’s insistence that he does not condone moves to force Zimbabweans and other non-nationals out of the townships and South Africa.
Government hopes to re-integrate the victims of the xenophobic attacks into South African communities over the next few months, but it has no immediate strategy to deal with the thousands of people displaced by the violence. Some immigrants have reportedly already left by bus for Mozambique.
Mandy Rossouw spoke to Christo Wiese, chairperson of Shoprite Holdings and Pepkor, who said Mbeki used state agencies against his opponents and to protect his political allies. South Africa’s big business community, once President Thabo Mbeki’s most ardent supporters, is losing confidence in him.
Two weeks after the start of the xenophobic attacks in Gauteng, the government and police are still at a loss on how to handle the escalating violence. "The attacks keep on taking us by surprise. When we think the situation is under control something erupts somewhere else," an official from the Department of Home Affairs told the <i>Mail & Guardian</i> on Monday.
President Thabo Mbeki has scoffed at his detractors on the left of the tripartite alliance, with an official close to him saying he considers the demands of the alliance summit mere ”noise”. ”These people need lessons on how government is run. You can’t ignore the ANC and government processes and try to hold people ransom with new demands.”
A report by Parliament’s home affairs committee has shed disturbing light on a battle between the home affairs department and a senior MP responsible for overseeing the department’s work. In one corner is Mavuso Msimang, home affairs Director General. His opposite number is Patrick Chauke, home affairs committee chairperson.
The ANC’s left-wing allies are to propose the revamping of the Cabinet, among other far-reaching government reforms, at the first tripartite alliance summit organised under Jacob Zuma’s leadership of the ruling party. The three-day summit, to be held in Midrand, begins today.